Building block construction and assemblage

ABSTRACT

This product is a novel structure for providing an easy to assemble and disassemble masonary or other material wall that is virtually free of mortar. This structure may be quickly assembled by unskilled persons, and yet provides the appearance of a continuous professionally laid masonary wall. The individual masonary blocks cooperate with joining elements that provide both holding means and attractive surface display.

United States Patent 2] Inventor Bernice W. Shuey 3323 Latham Drive, Dallas, Tex. 75229 [21 Appl. No. 866,856 7 Filed on. 16, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 s41 BUILDING BLOCK cons'rnuc'nou AND ASSEMBLAGE 5 Claims, 24 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. CL 52/284, 52/302, 52/316, 52/584, 52/585 [5 I] Int. Cl. E0411 l/40, E04b 1/70 [50] Field of Search 52/447, 301, 300, 584, 567, 284-286, 311-316. 581-585,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 61 1,514 9/1898 Schratwieser 52/447 621,027 3/1899 Callaway 52/301 Ketcham Purdy Mankedick 1/1933 Wright 8/1930 Hall FOREIGN PATENTS 3/1937 France 2/ l 949 France 6/ l 871 Great Britain Primary Examiner Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner.lames L. Ridgill, Jr. Attorney-Thomas D. Copeland, Jr.

ABSTRACT: This product is a novel structure for providing an easy to assemble and disassemble masonary or other material wall that is virtually free of mortar. This structure may be quickly assembled by unskilled persons, and yet provides the appearance of a continuous professionally laid masonary wall. The individual masonary blocks cooperate with joining elements that provide both holding means and attractive surface display.

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BUILDING BLOCK CONSTRUCTION AND-ASSEMBLAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to an improved assemblage of construction of building blocks requiring no mortar between internally located blocks of a continuous wall or pattern.

2. Statement of the Prior Art One example of prior art disclosed a novel metal corner piece to be used in connection with concrete building blocks. This device is not symmetrical and is used in conjunction with mortar layers and is only suitable for use at wall corners.

The prior art includes many interlocking main masonary blocks which form a continuous wall, but very few interlocking main blocks used in combination with separate auxiliary locking members for structural rigidity, and virtually none, if any, noninterlocking main blocks used with separate auxiliary locking members for providing both interlocking action and attractive surface appearance. r-

Another example of the prior art discloses a series of double wall block with solid tie blocks interconnecting the double wall block and wherein the tie blocks are staggered between alternate layers of double wall blocks.

Other prior art is directed to a series of blocks having matching flange and aperture connections and wherein the blocks are installed in staggered relation in adjacent rows.

The present invention distinguishes over the prior art by providing a symmetrical double-capped member that is smaller than the main masonary blocks which it interconnects in a transverse horizontal direction at the four corner intersection of adjacent blocks.

And another embodiment of this invention distinguishes over the prior art by providing cooperating fittings in both a horizontal and vertical direction while preventing movement at all the peripheral edges by a novel arrangement.

I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an improved assemblage of construction or building blocks requiring no mortar between internally located blocks.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a visible, attractive and yet functional interconnecting member for masonary blocks.

Another object of this invention is to provide an interconnection member for masonary blocks that will prevent relative movement between adjacent blocks by means of capped flanges in combination with a narrow connecting bar that seats in a corresponding groove between blocks.

A further object is to provide a wall construction of mortarless blocks that can be assembled by unskilled operators such that it is ideal for do-it-yourself" workmen.

And yet another object is to produce a masonary wall for outside use that cannot crack internally due to environmental conditions, including freezing and soil movement, because no rigid connection is made between adjacent blocks. A small groove cooperates with the interconnecting member to pennit rain water an exit to drain from between the blocks. If the groove is omitted a small amountof play between the block would accomplish a similar purpose in some instances.

And another object is to provide a wall block construction that permits outdoor walls to be constructed entirely of concrete or other durable materials and permits indoor walls to be constructed of plastic, concrete, glass, etc. blocks and wood (or other material) interconnecting members or other combinations of durable outdoor materials and not as durable indoor materials.

An important object this invention is to provide an inexpensive, easy-to-assemble, durable fence-type wall that is totally fireproof to compete with and attractusers who might otherwise install highly inflammable redwood or other wood products fencing.

A still furtherobject is to provide a strong, rigid, durable and yet temporary installation of concrete blocks in a wall that is as easy to dissemble as it is to assemble, and may employ solid, hollow core or solar concrete building blocks.

Still another object is to present a block-type wall construction that may be selectively erected to form a permanent, semipermanent or temporary wall at a desired location, and the installation is preferably made on a solidly attached foundation, whereas in the other the installation may be made on tamped earth, gravel, or concrete foundations and may be at a surface level or may be embedded in the ground.

The wall of this invention may be made more rigid by the use of steel or other material rods in the form of a long continuous rod, or a series of adjacent relatively short rods that abut each other at a location spaced to miss the horizontal junction between blocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I represents a perspective view of a continuous section of one form of wall construction employing this invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a corner section used with the wall ofFlG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of two adjacent blocks and one interconnection member installed to show the principle involved.

FIG. 2A is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified embodiment of the interconnecting member.

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view. of another form of the double-capped interconnecting member detached having a circular comember and showing how the groove matches the form of the shape of the interconnecting member.

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the concrete block used with the member of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one form of the corner post member used in an assemblage such as FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail exterior perspective view of the corner post ofFlG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a detail interior perspective view of the interior of the comer post of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one form of the end post with an interconnecting member flush with an end post of the assemblage of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of adouble-capped interconnecting member projecting from an end post.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a post member for permitting three wall sections to terminate in the same post.

FIG. 1 l is an elevation view of one form of wall assemblage that employs a mortar attached top plate and a mortar attached foundation member of a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a similar view to FIG. 11, but employing a vertically grooved comer block and a finished top block.

FIG. 13 is a similar view to FIGS. 11 and 12, but discloses the type of intermediate post employed when desired.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of adjacent blocks showing the method of joining blocks of the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the intermediate post of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the end block of FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the end block with a finished top and end area.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the end adjacent a door or other'location where a reinforced rod and a cement filler may beemployed.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view ofa unitary corner post that may be employed in this embodiment.

FIG. 20 isa fragmentary cutaway view in perspective showing a modified top cover arrangement in which reinforcing rods may he used.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of an end block which combines a post and block and is the alternate hand counterpart of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The 'wall assemblage indicated generally-at 1 in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of substantially rectangular masonary building blocks 2, interconnected at the four adjacent corners by members 3. The interconnecting members 4 at the top and bottom of the completed wall are actually half-members as seen in dotted outline at 4a. To complete the top closure and positively lock the blocks 2 and members 3 in place, a cover plate 5 is set in place with a mortar joint 6 and this seals the wall and in some instances is the only mortar required in an entire wall regardless of its height or length.

In other instances it may be desired to place a layer of mortar between the bottom blocks 2 and half-members 4 and foundation slab 8 as shown at 7 in FIG. 1. In either instance the bottom most blocks and members are supported on a poured or laid concrete foundation 8, with a flare bottom portion 8A (below ground level), or they may be supported directly from the portion 8 only or block 2 only on tamped earth or gravel on the surface of the ground or at the bottom of a trench the width of wall.

To complete the wall structure an end post is constructed at each end by assembling individual post members 11 intermediate the top and bottom members which constitute halfmembers 12. The post members 11 and12 include an aligned hole 13 (better seen in FIG. 5) which is at least large enough to receive a continuous rod 14 or a plurality of relatively short segments 14a of rod 14.

In the event acorner is desired in lieu of an end-post, the

construction shown in FIG. 1A is employed. Here the construction is the same except the end post members 11 and 12 become corner post members 15 and 16.

v The individual blocks 2 and members 3 are best seen in the enlarged detail drawings of FIGS. 2-4. Member 3 is seen to comprise a horizontallyextending bar 17 to the ends of which are attached enlarged caps or flanges 18, both of which (17 & 18) are shown to be rectangular in FIGS. 1 and 2, but could also be circular as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with center rod 19 joined on each end by circular end caps 21, or may be any suitable design including a combination of geometric designs. The flanges 18 overlap the lateral edges of blocks 2, so that they prevent lateral relative movement of either block. Each of the blocks 2 and 20 includes both a horizontal and a vertical groove 22 and 23 to permit entrapped water to drain off and thus prevent freezing in the space between members 2 & 3 and 2a and 3a.

Each of the end post members 12 of FIG. 1 and, each of the corner members of 16 of FIG. 1A include a horizontally extending quarter flange 18a. Similarly the topmost members 4b might be formed integrally with top cap member 5. And the corner members 11 and 15 include a horizontally extending half-flange 188. The corner members 11 and 15 may be made alternatively with a full flange member as shown at 18C on corner member 1 1A.

Corner post members 24 and 25 of FIG. performs a similar job to corner post members and 16 and to end post members 11 and 12 except they accommodate three walls. The half-bar 26 in most of the structures is for the purpose of receiving and engaging the recess 27 of blocks 2. Each of the post. and corner members include at least a pair of projecting lips 28which actually correspond to flanges 18 of member 3. But some of the members also include shorter than full length flanges and these are identified at 29. And each post includes a portion that corresponds to body 31 of FIGS. 5-7 and 9, and body 32 ofI-IGS. 8 and 10. e V

Having described the struc'ttiral 'de't'ail andpurpos'e of the wall assemblage of FIGS. 1-10, it ill be easily discerned that the effort and skill required to assemble the component parts of this structure are minimal a'nd'every homeowner should possess ,the inherent ability to perform all the operations necessary to complete this operation.

Where ordinary concrete blocks and mortar were formerly used to construct a drab appearing but useful residential wall,

.it-is now believed that the resulting structure can'be an' extremely attractive and varied decoration sessing the desired utility. I

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-22, the principal blocks 40 are seen to nest securely one into the other in both a horizontal and a vertical direction, and these blocks are identical except for bottom blocks 41 in the walls shown in FIGS. 1 l and 12 and the top blocks 42 in FIG. 12. Each of the blocks 40-42 and the solar blocks 43 of FIG. 13 include horizontally projecting tongue 44 which are adapted to engage grooves 45 and include vertically projecting, horizontally extending tongues 46 which nest into openings 47 of the next' adjacent block.

Some specific blocks used in this embodiment are shown in detail in FIGS. 14, 16 and 17 as blocks 40, 42, 48 and 49 and the corner and end post blocks 52 and 53 are shown respectively in FIGS. 18 and 19. A reinforcing pillar, as shown in FIG. 13 may be constructed of intermediate post blocks 51 which may be full length (vertically) or may be of a shorter length to permit offsetting the horizontal line made byv the block joints. For each end post 48 and 52 there needs to be an opposite end post 48A and 52A as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The purpose of blocks 48 and 48A is to eliminate the need for a separate block (40) and post member 52, but in order to maintain the continuity of design and to similate the use of separate members, a groove 60 is cast into the block where the break would occur if separate pieces were used.

Each of blocks 48, 49, 51 and 52 include a tongue 54, and each of blocks 48A, 52A, 51 and 53 include one or more grooves 55. Blocks 48, 51 and 53 include a circular hole 56 through the block in a vertical (when installed) direction, and block 52 includes a square hole 57 for a special purpose. The holes 56 may be cast larger (56B) and filled with cement to provide a vertical concrete rod or core in each post section as well as cementing the post blocks together. The holes 56 are also adapted to receive a'metal rod (14) with or without the addition of cement to the hole.

Square opening is particularly adapted to receive a circular rod of any suitable material compatible with concrete and still insure that sufficient peripheral space is available to receive cement to provide a locked-in rigid post member. The grooves 55 of corner post blocks 53 and end post block 51 are adapted to receive tongues 44 of blocks 40, 42 and/or 43 at assembly, while tongues 54 of intermediate post block 51, end post block 52 and end block 48 are adapted to engage grooves 45 of blocks 40, 41 and/or 43.

To complete the wall assemblage of FIGS. 11-13, using the component parts shown in FIGS. 14-22, the blocks described are attached with mortar 7 (if used) to a foundation slab 8 in a manner similar to that shown for the wall of FIG. 1. A similar top cover method may be used with cover plates 5 and grout or mortar 6. FIG. 12 shows the tongues 46A extending upward from the blocks 40 and 41, and this has the advantage of permitting the groove 47 to be inverted so that there is no tendency for rain water to collect in the base of the groove 47A. The groove 47 and 47A may in some instances extend'the full length vertically thru the block to provide a hollow core block, and the openings 23A may be provided thru tongues 46 to piece as well as posprovide a continuous passageway for entrapped water and for hollow wall insulation purposes. I

If, when a wall ,were installed, it was known that the installation would be temporary, then the rods 14 would be inserted in their respectiveopenings without cement (preferably using rod 14C), and the top cover plates 5a could also be equipped with horizontal openings 56a to receive horizontalrods 14b without the use of cement, as shown in FIG. 20.' The openings 56a in both members 5a and 8 are adapted to receive rods 14 and arealigned with thru openings in the blocks 40a, 48 and 48a, and post, blocks 52, 52a, etc., so that there is no tendency for longitudinal movement once the assembly has been completed, even without the use of mortar.

By the use of the combination of the construction shown in FIGS. 11 and/or 12, and the top cover plate 5a of FIG. 20, with or without the foundation slab 8 (upper portion 8 and flared portion 8A combined are identified as 88) or foundation 8B, and without the use of mortar 6 at the top and 7 at the bottom, an entire building block assemblage can be constructed entirely without the use of mortar. In this instance the foundation slab 8 and/or the bottom-most blocks 41 are preferably placed in a trench below ground level to prevent tipping. If foundation slab 8 is not used, then blocks 41 will engage the earth directly, and in either case if the earth is not solid rock, the area to be engaged should be gravel or tamped soil, and the lateral sides of blocks 41 should be engaged by packed soil or rock. By extending the lower portion of rod 14C and pointing its lower end, the rods 14C at each end of a wall section-and/or at any intermediate sections 51, the rods may be driven deep into the ground to add further rigidity to a building block assemblage.

The double-capped block member of the first embodiment can be cast or formed all in one piece with one of the main blocks, but its use of a separate piece member will facilitate stacking both blocks and the double capped members for shipping purposes.

Either embodiment may be used to construct temporary buildings, such as parking garages, in which event the horizontal rods 14b may be equipped with threaded ends to permit rapid installation and rapid disassembly as may be desirable where the location of a parking garage may be temporary. The combination of the use of removable threaded rod 14C to secure the wall against vertical movement and the use of rods 14b as elongated bolts with nuts to be attached after assembly, would assure the establishment of a rigid yet temporary buildmg.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced a device and assemblage which substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein, but this invention is not limited to the construction shown and may be made in many ways within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A building block assemblage, comprising the self-supporting integral combination of:

a. a series of individual main body building blocks,

b. a plurality of smaller capped interconnecting blocks between corners of adjacent main blocks and overlapping the exterior surface thereof and extending outwardly therefrom in base relief manner,

c. a series of end blocks inserted between said main blocks and overlapping the entire exterior vertical surfaces thereof and forming an end post, and comprising at least in part the same configuration of construction as said interconnecting blocks,

d. a series of interconnecting top half blocks overlapping the exterior surfaces of said main blocks blocks,

f. a foundation, comprising at least in part the same configuration of construction as said interconnecting blocks,

e. a series of top cover plates overlying the top main blocks and said top half blocks,

g. a plurality of vertical rods attached to said foundation and extending upward thru said end post,

h. a series of bottom half blocks between said lowermost bottom main blocks and said foundation,

i. means for readily and releasably attaching said main body blocks together into an integral combination thru the agency of said interconnecting blocks, top half-blocks, bottom half-blocks and end blocks, by mortarless attachment,

j. means employing said vertical rod for readily and releasably attaching said end blocks to said top cover plates and to said foundation,

k. all of said interconnecting blocks, end blocks, top half blocks and bottom half blocks being of a particular connectingconstruction and pattern and of the same material to provide a uniformity o constructlon and continuity of pattern for surface display thru out said assemblage and combination.

2. A building block assemblage as in claim 1 wherein said main body blocks have adjacent sidewalls that define therebetween a small groove for drainage purposes.

3. A building block assemblage as in claim 1 wherein said vertical rods comprise multiple sections whereby the wall height may be readily changed and without the aid of tools.

4. A building block assemblage as in claim I wherein all of said blocks are made of concrete. i

5. A building block assemblage as in claim 1 wherein said top half blocks are an integral and fixed part of said top cover plates and together they form a saddle configuration over said main blocks. 

1. A building block assemblage, comprising the self-supporting integral combination of: a. a series of individual main body building blocks, b. a plurality of smaller capped interconnecting blocks between corners of adjacent main blocks and overlapping the exterior surface thereof and extending outwardly therefrom in base relief manner, c. a series of end blocks inserted between said main blocks and overlapping the entire exterior vertical surfaces thereof and forming an end post, and comprising at least in part the same configuration of construction as said interconnecting blocks, d. a series of interconnecting top half blOcks overlapping the exterior surfaces of said main blocks blocks, f. a foundation, comprising at least in part the same configuration of construction as said interconnecting blocks, e. a series of top cover plates overlying the top main blocks and said top half blocks, g. a plurality of vertical rods attached to said foundation and extending upward thru said end post, h. a series of bottom half blocks between said lowermost bottom main blocks and said foundation, i. means for readily and releasably attaching said main body blocks together into an integral combination thru the agency of said interconnecting blocks, top half-blocks, bottom halfblocks and end blocks, by mortarless attachment, j. means employing said vertical rod for readily and releasably attaching said end blocks to said top cover plates and to said foundation, k. all of said interconnecting blocks, end blocks, top half blocks and bottom half blocks being of a particular connecting construction and pattern and of the same material to provide a uniformity of construction and continuity of pattern for surface display thru out said assemblage and combination.
 2. A building block assemblage as in claim 1 wherein said main body blocks have adjacent sidewalls that define therebetween a small groove for drainage purposes.
 3. A building block assemblage as in claim 1 wherein said vertical rods comprise multiple sections whereby the wall height may be readily changed and without the aid of tools.
 4. A building block assemblage as in claim 1 wherein all of said blocks are made of concrete.
 5. A building block assemblage as in claim 1 wherein said top half blocks are an integral and fixed part of said top cover plates and together they form a saddle configuration over said main blocks. 